What is Neurontin used for?

A:

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According to Drugs.com, Neurontin, the brand name for gabapentin, is a prescription medication used to treat seizures in children and adults and relieve certain types of nerve pain. It is classified as both an anticonvulsant and an analgesic.

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Drugs.com explains that Neurontin is added to other medications to control partial seizures. Neurontin is also prescribed to patients suffering from nerve pain related to diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia, the latter of which is better known as pain during and after an active shingles infection.

People taking Neurontin may experience some side effects while on the drug. According to WebMD, patients may experience blurred vision, dizziness, fatigue and tremors. If any of these adverse events persist for an extended length of time, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted. Additionally, as with other anticonvulsants, patients should not stop taking Neurontin abruptly, unless directly instructed to do so by a doctor. Acute withdrawal can occur and the frequency of seizures may increase in some patients as a result.

Neurontin is cleared from the body by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. RxList explains that people with impaired kidney function should receive a reduced dose of Neurontin to prevent the drug from accumulating to toxic levels in the body, which increases the risk of suffering side effects.